Analysts Say South Carolina Can Seal It For Kerry

[CShine]

John Kerry can eliminate his last serious opponent by coming to South Carolina and beating John Edwards on his own turf next week, political observers said Tuesday.

“If Kerry beats Edwards in South Carolina, that’s probably it,” University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said Tuesday night. After being declared the winner in New Hampshire on Tuesday, Kerry announced he was buying his first television ads in South Carolina, a sure sign “he wants to get rid of Edwards now,” Sabato said.

South Carolina’s first-in-the-South primary is Tuesday. It also is the first in a state with a sizable black population. Kerry’s aides “have undoubtedly reminded him of the times when ‘buyer’s remorse’ has struck candidates late in the process,” Sabato said. “It can’t strike if you don’t have any more opponents.” Kerry wouldn’t spend the money here if he weren’t planning to go for the victory, said former Democratic National Committee chairman Don Fowler of Columbia. “If he spends (on) television here, he’s contesting South Carolina — period,” Fowler said.

Sabato and Fowler agree that Edwards — leading the polls here — is Kerry’s final stumbling block to the nomination. Despite a soft third- or fourth-place finish in New Hampshire, Edwards is a South Carolina native and has made the Palmetto State his fire wall — win here at all costs.


http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/7812849.htm

[Dagaz]

1. He just got Clyburn's awaited endorsement

At this point I don't who can get enough Joementum to overtake Kerry.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

9. Yes, but Joementum....

is coming to town. Didn't you hear about Joe's strong finish with 9%?

[surfermaw]

10. Understand Clyburn, isn't very well liked in South Carolina

No he isn't

[surfermaw]

12. Clyburn..Isn't liked very much in South Carolina

Yep that is right.

[rwheeler31]

2. Edwards can help us.

Keep him in the race.

[Lost4words]

3. I dont think so! n/t

[KC21304]

6. Hey, that is clever. I sure hope we can.

[KamaAina]

4. His last serious opponent?

You mean, the one who finished fourth yesterday?

What about the guy who finished second, closing strongly? Or even the guy who finished third, his first time out? They're not "serious opponents"?

Sheesh.

[NashVegas]

5. I'm Sure They Love Hearing This in NY, Texas, Cali, Ohio

etc, etc.

[0rganism]

7. A Kerry win in SC could push Edwards out of the race

I don't see that "sealing it for Kerry", though. A post-campaign Edwards endorsement of Kerry would probably do it.

[jburton]

8. There are several other states voting that day

SC is not the only one.

Whoever does well in other states will declare themself a "winner" or whatever.

Whoever wins AZ/NM: He can "win" the Latino vote
Whoever wins ND: He can "win" the midwest/plains vote
Whoever wins OK: He can win the conservative Dems vote
Whoever wins DE: He can win the, uh, Delaware vote

And on and on.

[Bush loves Jiang]

11. lol...Delaware?

You sure he can stop Liebermania?

[CShine]

13. bump